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A skillet filled with creamy zucchini corn orzo, mixed with fresh parsley and grated cheese, sits on a gray surface with sprigs of parsley and a bowl of extra cheese nearby.
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One Pan Zucchini Corn Orzo

Creamy zucchini corn orzo is an easy one pan summer dinner made with Parmesan, lemon, and fresh parsley. Ready in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinners, Pasta, Side Dishes, Vegetarian + Vegan
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy zucchini corn orzo, one pan zucchini corn orzo, zucchini corn orzo
Servings: 5 servings
Author: Danae Halliday

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped shallot
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini (1 medium zucchini)
  • 1 1/2 cups corn fresh or frozen defrosted corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine kosher salt or to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic grated or minced
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and when it's hot add in the shallot, zucchini, and corn. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Add the garlic and orzo into the skillet. Stir everything together and toast the orzo for a minute. Pour in the broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling turn the heat down to medium-low or low, just so the orzo is simmering.
  • Cook the orzo for 10-12 minutes stirring frequently so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and the sauce thickens. If all of the liquid is absorbed before the orzo is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of broth at a time until it's fully cooked.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon juice. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasoning then serve.

Notes

Storage - Leftover orzo will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Don't freeze the leftover.
Reheating - Reheat the leftover in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warm. Add a splash of broth to loosen up the sauce as it reheats. You can also microwave the leftover for 60 seconds or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 1mg